Back to Biking

After my son got hit by a car, we needed to take his bike in, to make sure it was safe to ride.

The thing is, I needed my son's help to take the bike in, and our schedules were just not compatible.  He had school during the hours I had energy.  By the time he got home, I had no energy.  It is not that hard to set up the bike carrier and drive to Talpiot (a 7 minute drive), but it was too hard for me.  We just kept putting it off, week by week. 

Last Thursday, Isru Chag (the day after Shavuot), the kids had no school and a friend, LF, came over to visit.  Rather than sitting around drinking coffee (or tea), we decided to do errands together.  She agreed to help me and my son bring the bike in to the shop.

The whole thing took less than an hour.

We had to buy him a new helmet and they had to realign the wheel, fix a few things here and there, and -- presto: good as new.  Well, not 100% -  the seat and the grips on the handlebars are still ripped, but we can wait awhile to replace them.

My son rode his bike home and today got up early enough to ride his bike to school.

I might have dropped the ball, but he has certainly picked it up!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

God was Good to us Today

My son is fine.  But for a matter of seconds, our news might not be so good.

Riding home from school, he was hit by a car.

I cannot describe the primal fear I had, driving to the hospital to meet my son who was arriving by ambulance.

Driving, I reminded God of our deal:  I accept that He gave me cancer; in exchange, He has to keep my family, especially my children, safe.

I prayed the whole way:  "God, please let me handle this well and let my son not have any permanent damage."  I kept repeating this prayer over and over.  (OK, there were a few primal screams in there as well, but I really tried to focus on breathing slowly and staying calm)

Moshe was called to the scene of the accident, to talk with the police.  While there, he interviewed several eye-witnesses.  They all said that the driver did not slow down, despite the signs, before entering a blind intersection. (For those who know Katamon: She was driving down Hildesheimer and our son was riding down HaTzfirah)

Moshe had wanted me to go to the scene of the accident, while he met our son at the hospital.  I knew that I could not handle the scene of the accident.

I called my sister, who dropped everything and met me at the hospital.

My heart stopped when I saw my son lying on the bed, on top of a back-board, with a neckbrace.

It was all just a precaution.

The Orthopedist came in and did a thorough exam of my son.  Then he called me in to see my son do a couple of knee-bends.

We walked out of the ER a few minutes later.

God had mercy on us.

I am so grateful.



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

ps. For those who are wondering, we have already checked our mezuzot!

pps.  We are extermely grateful to the teacher from his school, who just happened to pass by after the accident, and accompanied our son, in the ambulance, to the hospital. 

He Did It!!

My son, once again, has surpassed my expectations.

Give him room to spread his wings, for surely he will fly!!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Giving Our Kids Wings to Fly

My son, the one who is impossible to wake in the mornings, wants to get up every morning at 5:00 so he can bike to the pool, swim for an hour, then bike to school.

I could not believe that he seriously considered doing this. I figured, the idea would fade as the beginning of school approached.

Tomorrow is his first day of school.

I figured wrong.

He wants to stick with his plan.

So, today, I finally took his bike in to be fixed (he needed a new brake cable) and bought him lights so that he can ride safely in the early morning. when it is still dark.

Anyone want to place bets on whether he gets up with his alarm tomorrow???

(I know, I'm terrible, I should have more faith in my son! But, seriously, FIVE O'CLOCK in the MORNING!?!?!? By choice????)



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA